Thoughts on everyday life and inspiring others to contribute to life in a positive way.

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Another Beginning

This is
commencement season.Kids wear their
best clothes, their graduation gown and “hats”.They’re decked out in tassels and stoles, medals and pins.Confetti and balloons.Cards, gifts, parties.

In 1972, I
graduated with a class of 32 friends.The school is no longer there.When we’re back in Wisconsin visiting my wife’s family, we drive past
what was once my school.Most of it is
falling down.A shell of what it once
was.

I had to give a
speech that day, one of two students to do so. I remember it, actually.I doubt if others do.My dad and mom and my sister Donna sat in the
audience.We didn’t wear robes or “hats”.Just my blue double-breasted suit.

I’ve been
through many commencements in my 37 years in education.Last year’s was tough.Hannah graduated.I still get choked up remembering her
introduction of me.She was class
officer and part of her introduction was, “You know him as the principal.I know him as ‘my dad’”.Yup, choked up again.

When I became
principal, I decided against a traditional “principal speech” and instead, pick
a song that represents or typifies the graduating class.I sing to them.

I had to sing
after Hannah introduced me.Tough to
sing with a lump in one’s throat, with tears running down one’s cheeks.I didn’t
do “My Wish” any justice.Still, the
thought and my hope for them, for Hannah, was there.

Commencement
doesn’t, however, mean an end.It
actually means a beginning.

Rather ironic
when you think about it.I mean, you
spend 8 years of elementary and middle school, four more years of high school
to . . . begin again?

Sure,
college.Graduate in four or five years,
sometimes longer to . . . begin again?

Commencement.

To go
forward.Begin again.

Find the
path.Walk on it.To and Through the door of your, perhaps His,
choosing.As He holds your hand.

As parents, we
do the best we can with what we have to offer.Kids stumble along the way.We
help pick them up, dust them off, and give them a pat on the back and tell
them, “It’s okay.”With a nod and a
smile, perhaps a tear, they begin again.We begin again.Once again.

Oh, and my
school that’s falling down?The
historical society is involved.It’s
creating a thrift shop for folks who can’t afford new.A playground and a nursery.Beginning Again.

Commencement
doesn’t really end with one beginning.Each day is a commencement.Each
night is a commencement.A chance, an
opportunity to begin again.Take
advantage of it.Live it.Love it.It’s yours.Something to think
about . . .